Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38743, Henry Goodnight, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 6
Goodnight, Henry
S 38743
Brown Co.
CONTENTS

20440
West Tennessee
Henry Goodnight
of Giles Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Pfeifer of the Regiment commanded by Colonel — in the N. Carolina line, for the term of two years from 1776 to 1778
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 6th day of May 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 of May 1832 — and sent to the Hon. J. K. Polk H. Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 $ 31-76 Semi-ann. all'ce ending
$31-76
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
Recorded Book 10 Vol. 9. page 149. J. H. Beall
Beall not in A. B.

State of Tennessee } Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Giles County ss } May term 1827
On the 26 th day of May 1827 personally appeared in open Court being a court of record, for the County of Giles, aforesaid, Henry Goodnight resident in said County, aged sixty eight years & now in his sixty ninth year, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 and the 1 st of May 1820, that he the said Henry Goodnight, enlisted for the term of two years, in the year (the day of the month & the year not recollected) in the State of North Carolina, in the Company commanded by Captain Maclin Fifer and that said Company marched from North Carolina to Baltimore in Maryland, and returned from Maryland to Georgia, but was not attached to any particular regiment, but belonged to the line of the State of North Carolina, on the Continental Establishment: That he continued to serve in said Corps until the end of the aforesaid term for which, he had enlisted as aforesaid, when he was discharged from the said service, in the State of North Carolina: That he was in no considerable battle, but in several skirmishes with the Cherokee Indians and Tories, in the back parts of the State of Georgia, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service, except the subjoined affidavit of Capt. Woods, & that he stands in need of assistance from his Country for support. And in pursuance of the act of Congress of the 1 st of May 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it or to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war passed on

the 18 th day of March 1818. And that I have not, nor has any other person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed
his Henry Goodnight Mark
Sworn to & declared in open court, the same being a court of record the 26 th day of May 1827.
German Lester clerk
Schedule of the property and effects of the above named declarant.
I Henry Goodnight the above named declarant and by profession, a Cultivator of the soil, but owing to my advanced age, and being much afflicted in my hands, legs and feet with Rheumatic pains, and unable to support myself, by my own labour I have a Wife, living with me, aged seventy two years, named Elizabeth, who is unable to contribute to my support, my wife and myself live with our son David aged twenty four years, We having no home of our own. I own the following property, viz. 4 Head of horned Cattle viz. one Cow & Calf, one ox 4 years old, one Steer one year old worth in the whole
$34:
11 Head of Hogs viz. one Sow, nine pigs & a Barrow
14:
3 Head of Sheep (viz) 2 old ones & a lamb
5:
2 Beds and furniture
30:
$83:
his Henry Goodnight Mark
Sworn to and declared on the 26 th day of May 1827 in open court the same being a court of Record.
German Lester clerk
State of Tennessee Giles County ss } Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions May term 1827.
This day personally appeared in open court, being a court of record Matthew Wood of said County, who being first duly sworn, according to law, upon Oath says, that during the Revolutionary War, he commanded

a Company of Continental troops, against the enemy Great Britain, and that he is now a pensioner on the Roll of the United States, that he is well acquainted with the within named declarant Henry Goodnight of the County of Giles aforesaid; and knew him during the Revolutionary War. That he knows said Henry Goodnight served as a private soldier, upon the Continental establishment in the revolutionary war, against the common enemy, Great Britain, in the Company of Cavalry commanded by Captain Martin Fifer, in the line of North Carolina. This affiant knew said declarant in service, they both, having served in the same line & knew him to be the same. He does not recollect how long said declarant served as aforesaid, but feels very confident, that it was as long as two years.
Matt. Wood
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 26 th day of May 1827.
German Lester clk
State of Tennessee } Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions November Term Giles County } 1827.
On this 29 th day of November 1827. Personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record, by the laws of the State, for the County of Giles and State aforesaid, Henry Goodnight, resident in said County, aged sixty nine years, since last August, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth make the following and further declaration, in addition to the one heretofore made on the 26 th May 1827. and here annexed in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 and the 1 st of May 1820. That he the said Henry Goodnight, enlisted for the term of two years in the summer or fall of the year 1776 in the State of North Carolina, in the Horse Company commanded by Captain Martin Fifer. he was not attached to any regiment or Command, that he knows of, save that of his Captain, unless the orders were received from Colonel Washington and Lee. His Company marched from North Carolina to Baltimore in the State of Maryland, and was then ordered after the first

winter to Georgia; his Company belonged to the line of the State of North Carolina, on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in said Corps, until the full end of two years from his said enlistment, when he was discharged from the service, in the State of North Carolina; that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the Roll of any State, except North Carolina; & that the following are the reasons for not making earlier applica- tion for a pension viz. that he is an illiterate man and has never known, until lately, that provisions were made for the indigent soldiers of the revolution; that he has resided in the Backwoods for upwards of thirty years. And in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18 th day of March 1818 And that I have not since that time by Gift, Sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it, or to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war, passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. And that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto an- nexed and by me subscribed
Schedule of the Estate and property of declarant
No land. as I have owned none for 18 or 20 years.
Three head of Horned Cattle, a Cow, a Calf and a two year old steer next Spring, worth $15.00
One Sow & nine Shoats worth 12.00
Two Beds & furniture worth 30.00
$57.00
The above declarant states, that he is by profession a Cultivator of the Soil, and that because of his advanced age and a long and continued disorder of Rheumatism in his hands, feet and legs, that he is unable to support himself by his own labour. He further says, that he has a Wife, living with him, between 72 & 73 years old

named Elizabeth, who is unable, from her age & to contribute to the support of the family, David, a son living with declarant between 24 & 25 years old. Declarant further states that since the 18 th March 1818, there has been no material alterations in his property. As he did not then own any other property than a part set forth, in the above schedule, except some live stock, which he has consumed, in his family in the way of a support. Which said stock, so consumed, cannot at this time be particularly described, he has made sale of none, and that since his declaration, heretofore made and here annexed the four year old steer and a barrow therein enumerated has died, he has had no property sold for him, by execution or otherwise, since the 18 th March 1818
Sworn to and declared on the 29 th day of November 1827 in open Court, it being a Court of Record by the laws of the State German Lester Clerk
his Henry + Goodnight mark
State of Tennessee
Giles County
I German Lester Clerk of the County Court held for said County do certify that Henry Goodnight did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common enemy from the time of his enlistment until the end of the war. On the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing Oath and the schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from

the records of said Court. And I do further certify that it is the Opinion of said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is fifty seven dollars. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at office On this 22 d day of January 1831.
German Lester Clk

20,371
Allowance
L.C.

March 23, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Christopher Goodnight W.9458 Henry Goodnight S.38743
Mr. Logan C. Barnes 817 W. Packard Street Decatur, Illinois
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Revolutionary War soldiers, Christopher and Henry Goodnight and James Barnes.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of this war. The records of Christopher and Henry Goodnight are furnished you herein.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W.9458, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Christopher Goodnight.
He was born in 1762 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
He enlisted in the fall of 1777, rendezvoused at Germantown, served three months as private in Captain Mathias Kensill's company. Immediately after this service he enlisted as substitute for his brother, Christian, who had been married but a short while, rendezvoused at Flouftown, Pennsylvania, and served three months as private in Captain Grady's company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 24, 1834, at which time he was living in Hardy County, Virginia, having moved there about 1794.
He died January 19, 1852, in Ritchie County, Virginia, which was formerly a part of Wood County.

Christopher Goodnight married in 1810 in Hardy County, Virginia, Diannah Watson.
She was allowed pension on her application executed June 6, 1854, while living near Harrisville, Ritchie County, Virginia, aged eighty-eight years. She was living in that county in 1857.
In 1854 one Adonijah Watson testified in behalf of the widow and in 1857 one T. G. Watson was living in Fairmont, Virginia, but their relationship to the widow was not shown.
There are no further data relative to the family of Christopher Goodnight.
*****
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.38743, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Henry Goodnight.
He was born in August, 1758. The place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
He enlisted in North Carolina in the summer or fall of 1776 and served two years as private in Captain Martin Phifer's North Carolina company of light horse and was in several skirmishes with the Cherokee Indians and Tories.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 26, 1827, at which time he was living in Giles County, Tennessee.
In 1827 he referred to his wife, Elizabeth, as being seventy-two years of age and his son, David, as being twenty-four years of age. There are no further data in regard to the family of Henry Goodnight.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

U.S.
January 17, 1928
Mrs. Leta D. Jaquis 405 N. East St. Corydon, Iowa
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 38743, it appears that HENRY GOODNIGHT was born in August, 1758, place not stated.
He enlisted in North Carolina in the summer or fall of 1776 and served two years as a private in Captain Martin Phifer's North Carolina Company of Light Horse; he was in several skirmishes with the Cherokee Indians and Tories.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 26, 1827, at which time he was living in Giles County, Tennessee.
In 1827 he referred to his wife, Elizabeth, as being seventy-two years of age and his son, David, as being twenty-four years of age.
There are no further data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

1928 Jan. 17 hist. to Mrs. Lela D. Jacques. Letter in case of Christopher Goodnight, W. 945-8, M.C.S. 1937 Mar. 23 hist. to Mrs. Logan G. Barnes. See corres. in Rev. ch. Christopher Goodnight W. 945-8. M.C.S.
38743
Rev INVALID.
File No. 38743
Henry Goodnight Rev. ch.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8, Page 201
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pend. Office 12. Feb. 18 1/2
Blasie Y May 20
Yrce
To the honorable
The Secretary of War
Mail } Washington City

State of Tennessee } Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions Giles County Tc. } November Term 1828.
On motion And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that a clerical mistake in the further declaration of Henry Goodnight of said County which was filed in this Court at the November Session 1827. in the fifth and sixth lines of the first Page in this, On the 29 th day of November 1822 - When it should have been 29 th day of November 1827. And Also in the two last lines of the fourth Page in this, this 14 th of December 1828. When it should have been this 14 th of December 1827. It is Ordered And adjudged that said declaration rected. So as to read 1827 in stead of 1822. in the sixth Line of the first Page and 1827. in stead of 1828. in the last line of the fourth Page.
State of Tennessee Giles County.
I, German Foster Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions holden for the County aforesaid do certify that the above is a true Copy of an Order of said Court made at November term 1828 — In

Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand And affixed the seal of said Court at office in Pulaski this 20 th day of January 1829.
State of Tennessee Giles County Germanester Clerk.
I Alexander Black Chairman of the Court of pleas & quarters sessions for the County of Giles do hereby certify that Germanester whose name is subscri- bed above as Clerk of the County of Giles County is now & was at the date of the Certificate a duly Clerk of the
County Court of Giles County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & said this 21 st day of January 1831
Alexander Black Chairman of Giles County Court.

Alexander Black Chairman of P.C.B. Giles County Court

State of Tennessee Giles County
This day personally appeared before me Robert S. Harris acting Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid the subscribers, Daniel T. Wood & German Lester, both Citizens of the County aforesaid & made oath that they have been personally acquainted with Henry Goodnight a petitioner for a pension for the last ten or twelve years. That they are acquainted with his general character & from their knowledge of his general character they would not hesitate to give him full faith & credit on his oath in a court of Justice or any when used & believe him to be an upright & honest man.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 2nd of December, 1829
Daniel T. Wood German Lester
Robert S. Harris J.P.
State of Tennessee Giles County
I German Lester Clerk of the court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that Robert S. Harris Esquire whose name is signed to the above affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace

in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and due faith and credit are and should be given to all his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the the seal of said Court at office the 31 st December 1829.
State of Tennessee Hick County } 2
German Lester Clk Alexander Black Chairman of the County Court of Hick County do hereby certify that German Lester whose name is subscribed to the above certificate as Clerk of the County Court of Hick County is now & was at the time of said certificate acting Clerk of said Court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21 st of Jan y 1831

Henry Goodnight

State of Tennessee This day personally appeared before me the undersigned authority of the State of Tennessee John Swanson one of the acting Justices for said County. The said John Swanson and William Donnelly after being duly sworn on the holy evangelist they say on their oaths that they are acquainted with the their heads a cap since in the Revolutionary with Great Britain and that Robert Swan he ought to have full credit given to and therefore before me this 30 day of October 1830 Bonapart P. Gorton John Swanson
State of Tennessee This day personally appeared before me the undersigned authority of the State of Tennessee John Swanson one of the acting Justices for said County. John Swanson and William Donnelly after being duly sworn on the holy evangelist they say on their oaths with Charles Rease of Dayton  the County and said State and that said Rease would give him in a date of Foster the same under our hand this 12 October 1830 John Colan and given to before me William G. [unclear] John Swanson

State of Tennessee } Peter Swanson one of the acting County of Giles } Justices for said County do hereby certify that Boswell Carlton Walter McAnel John Calman William Ken are day who was qualified before me on the 8th of October 1830 and on the 12th of October 1830 is persons of good character and what they would say in any case of Record ought to have full credit given un- der my hand this 18th June 1831 P. Swanson
State of Tennessee } Peter Swanson Giles County } This day personally appeared before me Peter Swanson one of the acting Justices for said County Captain Mathews read and after being duly sworn together on his oath that he was acquainted with Henry Goane but a present in Capt. Martin Rife's Com- pany of Dragoons and that the said Henry Goane has been in actual service about two years in said service Company of the North Carolina Line in the war with Great Britain known to and believed before me this 28th June
1831 Peter Swanson Matt W. Lee

1831 Peter Swanson
Matt Wood Secy
State of Tennessee } Peter Swanson are of Giles County } the acting trustees for said County do hereby certify that Mathew Wood who was qualified before me on the 28th 1831 to the above District is a man of good character and what he would say in any case of removal ought to have full credit given under my hand this 28th June 1831
Peter Swanson

State of Tennessee Giles County
The German Luter Church of the County Court held for said County do certify that Peter Swanson whose name is subscribed to the above Certificates is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commis- =sioned and qualified and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 22 nd day of January 1831.
German Luter Ch
Group of trees
on the at the line

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State aforesaid, do certify, that it appears from the Journal of the proceedings of the Provincial Congress of this State, which met at Halifax on the 4 th day of April 1776, that Martin Pfifer was appointed Captain of the second Company of Light Horse, ordered to be raised for the continental service, and that it appears said appointment was made on the 16 th day of April 1776.
Given under my hand this 30 th day of March 1829.
W. Hill
Capt. Martin Pfifer obtained a Warrant for twentyfive months service.
W. Hill Secy

State of North Carolina Secretary of State's Office 30 th March 1829.
Sir
I have carefully searched for, but find nothing of the name of Henry Goodnight, or Henry Good Knight, on the Warrant book, or Muster-rolls in this Office. There are no rolls of the Lighthouse companies raised by this State in the revolutionary war, deposited in this Office
Very respectfully Your O bt . Serv t W. Hill
James L. Edwards Esq. Chief Clk Pension Office U. States

Washington City May 6, 1832
Sir
I send  submit to you the enclosed letter of Mr. Wm C. Hovey concerning the partnership of Henry Goodnight, and also all the other papers relating to his claim in my possession, and request that you will examine the case. Mr Hovey is a very respectable man and I have no doubt but that all he says is strictly true. —
Very Respectfully Yr Obedt Servt
James K Polk
J. S. Edwards Esq. Pioneer Office War Dept. Washington

FREE
Wend. James K. Polk
City of Washington
sentent: Ethan J. Polk H.A. No. Ten -
Henry - Spedden N.D. 3 Pioneer Palms.
pen: to com: 6 May 1832

Pleasants 19 th April 1832
Dir
I am again under the necessity of troubling you with Mr Goodnight's papers. He urges me with great importunity to transmit them to you over man, that another effort may be made. I think, an inspection & examination of the testimony of Matthew Wood, it certainly must appear to the satisfaction of the Department, that Old Mr Goodnight was in the service of the United States, about two years. That appears to have been the only difficulty in the old man's case. Wood's deposition clears it up I think completely. Wood is now dead, & there is no possibility of obtaining other testimony to that point. Wood's character is supported by the testimony of good men; men of undoubted veracity as any in the country and also by the Justice of the Dept. as required by the Department. I cannot see what more can be required by the Department.
I hope you will present the old man's claim over man - In doing which you will confer an obligation on an old decrepit soldier of the Revolution, that will go with him to his grave - I much oblige your humble servt.
My best respects to Mrs DLR your friend
Will. C. Flournoy

State of Tennessee Giles County.
This day Personally appeared before W. G. W. an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, Charles Reese, aged seventy three years and made Oath that he has been well acquainted with Henry Goodnight for about sixty years that after they both became subject to do military duty mustered in the same Company, that he knows that he is the Identical person who enlisted under Captain Pifer of Mecklenburg County and State of North Carolina in the revolutionary war that said Goodnight was some time absent & said to be in the service, and that he also knows when said Goodnight returned home.
Sworn to & Subscribed Chas Reese before me this 2 nd day of Dec r 1829
W. G. W. Jr.

State of Tennessee Giles County I German Lester clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for said County Do hereby certify that Nathaniel G. Nye Esquire whose name is signed to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County Duly commissioned and qualified and due faith & credit are to be given to all his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at office the 1 st D and affixed the seal of said Court at office the 31 st December 1829
State of Tennessee } German Lester Clk Giles County } I Alexander Black Chairman of the Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions for the County of Giles do hereby certify that German Lester whose name is subscribed to the above certificate a clerk of the County Court of Giles County is now & was at the time of said certificate clerk of said Court - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & said the, 21 st May 1834 Alexander Black Chairman of the Giles County Court.

Nenny Goodnight
Payments to be made on the 4th of March and 4th of September in each year, by the Agent for paying pen- sions, at Nashville
Tennessee.
1818-Filed 14/62
Recorded by Benj d Lloyd Beall Clerk, in Book D. Vol. 9 page 149.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I Certify, That, in conformity with the Laws of the United States of the 18th March 1818, and May 1st 1820, Henry Goodnight late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, of the North Carolina line is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the West Tennessee Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the Sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this tenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Lewis Secretary of War.
Examined and countersigned, J. L. Edwards